Cobb County

Family pushing for change after crossing guard killed by hit-and-run driver

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Loved ones held a vigil and safety walk Tuesday evening to honor a school crossing guard who was killed while on duty.

Family members of Edna Umeh, 64, are asking the public to help them demand change after she was killed by a hit-and-run driver last week.

Edna Umeh 

The walk started at Harmony-Leland Elementary School and ended at Lindley Middle School, where Umeh was directing traffic when she was killed.

Umeh's family members told Channel 2's Matt Johnson that she worked at three different schools every day.

Her son is hoping to show strength in numbers to help them get change.


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“I’m doing her route every day until something is done,” Rahim Tarver said, hoping to honor his mother by bringing changes to Veterans Memorial Highway, where his mother was killed.

“Don’t let them forget about the children,” Tarver told Johnson.

Umeh's family members say they intend to show state and local officials that the community wants help with cracking down on speeding drivers in school zones.

“This is our family member and it was senseless, it didn't have to happen,” said Umeh’s brother, Don Michael Lowery.

The driver of the car that hit Umeh is expected to face charges once the investigation is complete.

A state corridor safety audit is scheduled for the stretch of Veteran's Memorial Highway where Umeh died.

Her family is encouraged by the progress but wants to keep pressuring officials to act for the sake of Umeh and the children.

“Something needs to be done so this won’t happen again,” Tarver said.

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